I paid attention to what died this week: a lap swim suit, a pair of underwear, a sleep shirt, and a shacket I bought for work but have been wearing a lot for outdoor dining. It’s mostly essentials, which makes sense given all the WFH. I would suggest slowing your usual roll on non-essentials if you are seeing the same pattern.

I agree cat2 - I have to be cautious about adding dressy work or party pieces in. In saying that I actually have five parties in the next couple of months which is very exciting and a shock to the system.

Cat2, same pattern here — this week I tossed some underwear, a bra, two pajama pants and three old tees (those got cut up and put in the rag pile). I just got a cute set of summer Print Fresh PJs on sale at Anthro, which prompted a sleepwear cleanout. One in, three out!

I need to be just as strict with my dresses, since I just bought one — I have a couple in the holding zone, and I’m wondering if I should just let them go, or see if I lose some weight this summer. I have a problem with keeping things “just in case.”

I keep thinking about this post! And noticing that the only things that wear out are the things I actually need / use. Hiking clothes and other gear; yoga stuff; shoes for specific outdoor or sports activities; pajamas and lounge wear. All the more office/formal stuff just sits there untouched at the moment. This annoys me because I feel like I have "too many clothes" but I nonetheless have to keep buying replacements for the stuff that I actually use.

Sometimes I try to use a "formal" thing for an "informal" purpose like dog walking. Then I am secretly happy when it gets ruined. The human brain is a strange thing.

Haha - I know what you mean!!

I feel that way too - I do wear clothes that show signs of wear - depending on what it is.

But yes the only things I NEED to replace are running shoes, socks, the odd specialist gear piece (eg I added a high vis biking jacket and a new warm layer for early walks). There's the odd other thing that I could convince myself was a need - the odd work piece or winter sturdy boots, but not many.

It doesn't stop me wanting things though!! For those of us who enjoy clothing and style it is a conundrum.

Agreed that this thread has taken an odd term to where a good thing—clothing sustainability—seems to be somehow difficult. Watch what you wish for, you just might get it.

You are right StagF - it is a good thing - and I am pleased about it.

For me, I used to have a smaller closet through my 20s and 30s, and then I struggled a bit in my early 40s to find things I liked - and made a few wrong purchases which I edited out because they wore out quickly or I didn't like them because they fitted poorly etc. But I got used to the thrill of the new, and the adding of new pieces in - but I wasn't getting a large closet because there was fall out at the bottom. Now there is less fall out at the bottom I need to add less in.....

I don't think I like shopping but I do like new things.... it's about me adjusting my thinking because I do want a sustainable closet with long lived and loved pieces.